The Outside Adventure of Liza & Louie
Picture book ⋅ Ages 3-7
Two house cats slip out the back door, get separated in the alley, and discover there is no place like home. Written and illustrated by Paul Myrick.
Large print ⋅ Full-color illustrations ⋅ 34-page paperback, 35-page Kindle
What happens in the book
Liza and Louie spend their days wathcing birds, bugs, and green grass through the window. One day the back door is left open, and they dash out into the sunshine.
After hopping a tall fence into an alley, a loud garbage truck sends them running, and the two cats get separated. Liza ends up at a little girl's tea party, where she would much rather just have her ears scratched.
Her collar tag gets her home, and Louie, who hopped back over the fence, is waiting safely inside. A gentle, funny story about curiosity, staying safe, and the comfort of home.
What parents should know
- Tone: light, silly, and reassuring. Everyone gets home safe.
- One startling moment: a loud garbage truck rumbles through the alley. It is over in a page or two.
- Separation: Liza briefly misses Louie. They are reunited at home.
- Talk about: curiosity versus safety, why pets wear ID tags, and why home feels good.
- Reading: a few sentences per page, short enough for bedtime.
Take a look inside
Bold, hand-drawn pages that are easy to read aloud and fun to point at.
The back door is open
A garbage truck in the alley
Liza meets a little girl
Ding dong! Home by collar tag
Meet Liza and Louie
- Liza is the orange cat: bold, friendly, and happy to make a new friend. She is the one who says "Quick, jump over this fence!" and the one who ends up at the tea party.
- Louie is the blue cat: careful and quick on his paws. When the alley gets scary, he hops back over the fence and heads straight home where it is safe.
Liza and Louie are real cats. The story was inspired by Paul's two rescue cats, and by the day Liza escaped over the backyard fence.
Read the real story behind the book
What readers say
Rated 5 out of 5 on Amazon. Read all reviews
★★★★★
A delightful short story about Liza and Louie's first adventure outdoors. Its large print and colorful illustrations make it a perfect bedtime story or book for the early reader!
J. M., verified Amazon purchase
★★★★★
The book is very easy to read, colorful and has an educational value! I highly recommend this children's book.
Lana, verified Amazon purchase
★★★★★
The illustrations are bold and colorful with great design that grab your attention right from the start.
coloradorockies, Amazon reviewer
★★★★★
Delightful illustrations! My 6 yr old daughter has not put the book down since we got it last week.
vmanley, Amazon reviewer
Bonus comic: Liza's wake-up call and hair styling
A comic strip by Paul about what happens when a cat decides it is time to get up ... and what they do to your hair.
Read the comic as text
- Night. A man sleeps under a yellow blanket. A crescent moon shines in the window.
- Liza, the orange cat, hops onto the foot of the bed.
- Liza walks up and stands on the man's head.
- Morning. The sun is up and the man is wide awake, with his hair sticking out in every direction.
Free printable coloring pages
Print a page and let kids color Liza and Louie on the sofa, in the back yard, or at the tea party.
Questions parents ask
What ages is it for?
Ages 3 to 7. Younger children enjoy it as a read-aloud, and older children can read the large print themselves.
Is it scary?
Not really. There is one loud moment with a garbage truck and a short separation, and both are resolved quickly. The ending is happy and cozy.
How long is the book?
The paperback is 34 pages and the Kindle edition is 35 pages. It is easy to read in one sitting.
Are Liza and Louie real cats?
Yes. The story was inspired by Paul's two rescue cats. Read their backstory.